TeachableMedicalNews article 07262019

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. nervous system chapter – synaptic transmission
  2. nervous system chapter – excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters
  3. nervous system chapter – regulation of the level of neurotransmitters

Can a street drug be used to clinically treat depression?

The news item:  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a new treatment for depression was in the news:

FDA approves ketamine-derived nasal spray to treat depression

The medication is for people who weren’t helped by at least two other anti-depressants.

The new treatment is based on a slightly modified form of the controlled (and sometimes abused) pharmaceutical, ketamine.   The article also mentions the ineffectiveness of current anti-depression drugs, and the new treatment format.